Other possible contenders might include an attempt to poach HSBC finance director Douglas Flint, or the reappointment of Thiam's predecessor Mark Tucker, possibly as an interim chief executive.
One, Ismail Khan, turned down for reappointment to his old job as energy minister, was a particularly famous warlord.
Stephen Lam continued to register poor popularity, he is the only official with more people asking for his dismissal than reappointment.
His reappointment was seen as a major stumbling block in accessing foreign aid needed to turn the economy around.
